Collection site opening for gift-filled shoe boxes

Thursday

Nov 8, 2012 at 3:15 AM

ROCHESTER — While most people in the U.S. are preparing for holiday activities, local volunteers with Operation Christmas Child — the world’s largest Christmas project of its kind — are filling shoe box gifts with toys, school supplies and hygiene items for needy children overseas. This year-round project of international relief aid organization Samaritan’s Purse, headed by Franklin Graham, is ramping up as local businesses, churches and community groups prepare to collect 1,225 gift-filled shoe boxes during National Collection Week (Nov. 12-19).

Anyone can drop off a packed shoe box at the Rochester collection site (address and hours below). Then, using whatever means necessary, trucks, trains, boats, bikes and even elephants, the shoe box gifts will be hand-delivered to hurting children in 100 countries around the world.

The Rochester collection site is First Baptist Church, 25 Church St. Call (800) 353-5949.